Waistband for trousers, skirts and the like

ABSTRACT

A waistband for trousers, skirts and the like is composed of an elongated outer layer of woven or knitted fabric having opposite sides and two transversely spaced longitudinally extending edges. An elongated reinforcing layer of a different woven or knitted fabric is superimposed in surface-to-surface relationship upon one of the sides of the elongated outer layer and is unitary therewith along at least one of the longitudinally extending edges thereof. The layers may also be unitary over their entire juxtaposed surface areas, and the other exposed side of the outer layer may be provided with a raised strip composed of anti-slip filaments which are woven into the material of the outer layer and may form patterns.

United States Patent 1191 Kristof [451 Jan. 23, 1973 1541 WAISTBAND FOR TROUSERS, SKIRTS 1,390,878 1/l965 France ..2/237 AND THE LIKE 1,122,640 5/1956 France ..2/237 [76] Inventor: Herbert Kristof, Schuetzenstr. 29,

4791 s hl G Primary.ExaminerH. Hampton Hunter Filed: Dec. 1970 Att0rneyM1chael S. Striker App]. N0.: 97,683

FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS i i'ii ..2 237 [57] ABSTRACT A waistband for trousers, skirts and the like is composed of an elongated outer layer of woven or knitted fabric having opposite sides and two transversely spaced longitudinally extending edges. An elongated reinforcing layer of a different woven or knitted fabric is superimposed in surface-to-surface relationship 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures an: 323323393333933335 33:23:35 nranggazaaagaasaapaaaoag 3333' :35 3:21.39 2033; 33333333333 33:); 2):;

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WAISTBAND FOR TROUSERS, SKIRTS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to waistbands for trousers, skirts and the like, and more particularly to an improved and greatly simplified waistband.

Waistbands for skirts, trousers and the like are known in a wide variety of types and constructions. Heretofore, such waistbands have always been manufacturedfrom a rather large number of individual parts which had to be produced separately and then united. In order to be able for the waistband to conform itself readily to a corresponding portion of the human body, it was necessary to make the outer layer and sometimes also the inner reinforcing layer of the waistband in such a manner that it could be stretched. Stretching in direction transversely to the elongation of the waistband is particularly important, but it is also desirable that the waistband be capable of stretching in its longitudinal direction. The purpose is to make it possible for the waistband-when the garment provided with the waistband is being worn on the human bodyto assume an essentially conical configuration as seen with reference to the axis of the annulus defined by the waistband when the garment is on the human body without resultant formation of folds in the material of the waistband, which is highly objectionable.

In order to obtain the desired stretch characteristic of the material of the waistband, it was necessary to process the woven material of the waistband in a very particular manner. Specifically, the woven material was cut into strips diagonally of the weft and warp threads, and the thus-cut diagonal strips were then connected as upper and reinforcing layers of the waistband. The reason for this was, of course, the well known ability of woven material to stretch more substantially in direction diagonally of the weft and warp threads than in longitudinal direction of the respective threads, this stretchability being obtained despite the fact that the threads themselves have little if any stretch characteristic.

In addition it is customary in many waistband constructions to provide the exposed side or surface of the outer layer with anti-skid or anti-slip means. This is usually in form of specially woven bands provided with such anti-slip means and either secured to the exposed surface of the upper layer of the waistband, or sewn between and in the same plane with two transversely spaced strips of material which together with the band constitute the upper layer of the waistband. The antislip means is customarily in form of filaments such as filament strands, rubber filaments or synthetic plastic filaments which are woven into the aforementioned bands so as to project somewhat from their exposed surface and to engage a blouse, a skirt or the like with which the exposed surface of the outer layer of the waistband is in contact, to prevent the blouse, skirt or the like from accidentally being pulled out of the waistband.

It is clear from what has been set forth that it is timeconsuming to produce these prior-art waistbands. Clearly, not only is it necessary to separately produce the material for the outer layer and that for the inner layer, but also the band carrying the anti-slip means must be separately woven. Thereupon the material of the upper layer and that of the lower layer must be cut diagonally as mentioned before, and the thus obtained strips must be connected with one another and with a band provided with the anti-slip means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved waistband which is not possessed of these disadvantages. A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such an improved waistband which is substantially simpler than what is known from the art and which requires fewer individual components and fewer manufacturing and assembly operations.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a waistband for trousers, skirts and the like, which briefly stated comprise an elongated outer layer of woven or knitted fabric having opposite sides and two transversely spaced longitudinally extending edges. An elongated reinforcing layer is provided also of woven or knitted fabric and extending along one side of the outer layer, being unitary with at least one of the aforementioned longitudinally extending edges.

By resorting to the present invention the outer layer provides-without the use of filaments having stretch characteristics, such as rubber, synthetic plastic filamentsthe desired stretch characteristic in direction transversely of the elongation of the waistband, purely based upon the configuration of the mesh of its weave. This eliminates the necessity for cutting strips of the woven material of the outer layer in direction diagonally of the warp and weft threads thereof, and subsequently to handle such strips further for conversion to waistbands. Instead, the material of the outer layer is stretchable in the desired direction due to the mesh characteristic of its weave, because when stretch forces act upon them the mesh of the material can be pulled or deformed to oval configuration and thus makes it possible for the material to be stretched transversely of the elongation of the waistband. On the other hand, the mesh has the inherent tendency to return elastically to its original configuration when stretch forces upon it are released.

The same considerations apply to the material of the reinforcing layer which, according to the present invention, also is of woven or knitted fabric. In addition, the reinforcing layer is directly unitary with at least one longitudinally extending edge of the outer layer, meaning that it is possible to manufacture both the outer layer and the reinforcing layer in a single manufacturing operation. Thus, a strip of material comes off the knitting or weaving machine composed of the outer layer and the reinforcing layer side-by-side and united along at least one respective longitudinally extending edge, without requiring separate securing operations or connecting operations as heretofore necessary.

It is, however, also possible to connect the juxtaposed surfaces of the two layers over their entire surface areas, that is to join them in the manner of a double-knit jersey fabric so that the two layers are actually joined over their entire juxtaposed surface areas rather than along one longitudinally extending edge.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a waistband according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, on a smaller scale, illustrating yet an additional embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the waistband in toto is identified with reference numeral 10. As illustrated it is composed of a first or outer layer 11 and a second or reinforcing layer 12. Both the layer 11 and the layer 12 are of woven or knitted mesh fabric as illustrated, and the layer 12 is unitary with the layer 11 along a longitudinally extending edge 21 thereof. The layer 12 is of relatively stiff filaments and woven or knitted so as to have large mesh openings 14. The layer 11 is wider than the layer 12 as illustrated, so that a marginal zone 13 extends beyond the layer 12 (see FIG. 2), serving for sewing the waistband to a garment (not illustrated), for instance a pair of trousers. However, it is possible to eliminate the zone 13 and to have the layers 11 and 12 be coextensive in their transverse direction. The mesh material of the layer 12 is unitary with the mesh material of the layer 11 despite the fact that they are of different mesh and of different filamentary material.

One side of the layer 11 is concealed by the overlying juxtaposed layer 12. The other side, however, is exposed and according to the present invention this other side is provided with a strip-shaped anti-skid or anti-slip portion 16 extending in longitudinal direction of the layer 11 and thereby of the waistband 10. In the illustrated embodiment the portion 10 is formed by strands or bundles 17 of filaments which in the illustrated embodiment are textured or texturized elements which project beyond the surface of the exposed side and which are offset with reference to one another so that longitudinally extending ribs and free areas intermediate them are obtained. These filaments 17 are directly woven or knitted into the material of the layer 11 during the joint manufacture of the layers 11 and 12, and it is well known to those skilled in the art how this can be done so that the particular manner how the portion 16 can be provided in the material of the layer 11 requires no further discussion.

The materials of the layers 11 and 12 are stretchable transversely of their elongation, in the direction of the schematically illustrated rows 18 of mesh, as well as in longitudinal direction, namely in the direction of the rows 19. However, it is not necessary and ordinarily not intended that the filaments of the layers 11 and/or 12 in themselves have a particular stretch capability. Thus, customarily used filaments of any suitable type, for instance endless or spun filaments of polyamide or the like, can be utilized. Also, texturized filaments or yarn couldbe utilized especially for the layer 11.

In FIG. 3, I have illustrated an embodiment of the invention in which the waistband is identified with reference numeral 20 and is shown in flat condition, that is, before the layers 11' and 12' thereof are superimposed upon one another. The materials of the layers 11 and 12 are again unitary along respective adjacent longitudinally extending edges as illustrated, and are both produced of one piece in a single weaving or knitting step. To obtain the desired reinforcing characteristics for the layer 12', it is advantageous to make the same approximately to 50 percent of polyamide monofilament. Once produced in a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, the layers 11 and 12 are folded in the direction of the arrow 22 along their joint edge 21 to superimposed position. Of course, the layer 12 can also be folded upon the layer 11', instead of vice versa. In any case, when folded the waistband according to FIG. 3 will have a cross sectional configuration reminiscent of that shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, no anti-slip portion corresponding to the portion 16 of FIGS. 1 and'2 is provided, because in this embodiment the entire exposed surface otthe layer 1 1' has an anti-slip function. I

Coming to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be seen that the waistband in toto is identified with reference numeral 30, being illustrated in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 3. Here, the waistband is composed of the layers 11" and 12", and both layers can be produced simultaneously and in a single operating step on a weaving machine, for instance a so-called Raschel machine. In this embodiment, the marginal portion 31 of the layer 12", that is the marginal portion which is remote from the juncture of the layer 12 with the layer 11", is made of a particularly stiff material, such as monofilaments which are thicker than those used for the remainder of the material of the layer 12". That side of the layer 11'' which subsequent to folding of the layers 11" and 12" to the configurations of the finished waistband (such as that shown in FIG. 2) will be exposed, is provided with filaments 17" which are here of rubber or elastomeric material, and which are woven into the material of the layer 11" and constitute the anti-slip means 16" which later will frictionally engage a skirt, a blouse, or the like tucked into the waistband and to be prevented from slipping out of the same. The anti-slip effect is of course based upon the friction between the elastomeric material of the filaments 17" and the juxtaposedportions of the skirt, shirt or the like.

Coming, finally, to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be seen that the outer layer is identified with reference numeral 11", whereas the reinforcing layer is identified with reference numeral 12". Here the layers 11" and 12" are not produced in a common plane so that they are joined along respective longitudinal edges. Instead, they are produced so that during the production they are in super-imposed relationship to form a two-ply fabric whereby the layers 11" and 12" are connected not only along respective longitudinally extending edges, but instead over their entire juxtaposed surface areas, which connections being point or local connections. With this construction, it is not even necessary to fold one layer upon the other as in the preceding embodiments, because they are already produced in the single weaving operation in the necessary relative positions. Elastomeric filaments 17" of rubberized synthetic plastic are woven or knitted into that surface of the layer 11" which subsequently will be the exposed surface, and the surfaces of the filaments 17", which constitute together the anti-slip means 16", have a high coefficient of friction in order to properly fulfill their anti-slip function.

It will be appreciated that according to the present invention it is a simple matter to produce the woven fabric of the outer layer on the one hand, and the woven fabric of the reinforcing layer on the other hand, in the manner which provides for optimum results for the respective layer. Thus, as already pointed out before, stiffening filaments such as synthetic monofilaments, can be used for making the woven fabric of the reinforcing layer. The fabric of the reinforcing layer can be readily given the character of a large-mesh material because the stiff characteristics of the filaments used for the purpose make it possible to utilize large-mesh configurations. If monofilaments are used, a relatively soft filament component may be used in conjunction with them, and in this case the stiffness of the material produced for the reinforcing layer, can be readily controlled simply by increasing or decreasing the proportion of the mono-filaments to the softer filaments. Conversely, it is of course also possible to increase or decrease the stiffness by using thicker or thinner monofilaments. If it is necessary or desired to increase the stiffness only in one portion of the reinforcing layer, then the embodiment of FIG. 4 may be utilized.

It is clear that according to the invention it is quite simple to produce woven or knitted fabric which is extensible or stretchable transversely as well as longitudinally, and which also has in diagonal direction an extensibility which heretofore could not be realized in the known waistbands.

Also, the present invention eliminates the necessity for separately producing and then connecting with the waistband, an anti-slip means such as a strip or tape carrying anti-slip filaments. It is possible to avoid addition of a separate anti-slip tape in the waistband according to the present invention because the elongation of the outer layer is and remains coincident with the elongation of the material from which the outer layer is woven or knitted; this is by contrast to the prior-art teaching where, as mentioned before, the material for the outer layer was cut diagonally to the elongation of the woven fabric to obtain a strip which subsequently became the outer layer of the waistband. Thus, the present invention of course makes it possible to weave or knit the filaments constituting the anti-slip means into the exposed side of the outer layer extending lon gitudinally of the same. This can be accomplished in one and the same manufacturing operation with the weaving or knitting of the material of the outer layer, as well as of the material for the reinforcing layer, so that at the end of a single manufacturing operation a finished strip of material is obtained which need simply be folded in the manner discussed and shown with reference to FIGS. l-4 to obtain a waistband which can be secured to a skirt, blouse or the like. In fact, if the embodiment of FIG. 5 is utilized, even the folding is no longer necessary.

The filaments for the anti-slip means may be of various different types, known to those skilled in the art and already briefly discussed above. For instance, they may be rubber filaments, generally elastomeric filaments, synthetic plastic filaments, filaments which have been flocked, or filaments which in other suitable manner provide for a relatively high coefficient of friction. When they are woven or knitted into the material at the outer layer, they may extend straight or in wavelike configuration. The filaments can also be of textured yarns which advantageously are slightly twisted so that their slightly curved configurations act essentially in the manner of a hook to engage and retain adjacent portions of a shirt, blouse or the like. Textured yarns will be understood readily, and it is simply necessary to point out that such yarns are crimped to voluminous configuration and so as to have very small curls or convolutions.

It is also possible according to the present invention (and now referring back to FIG. 1), to have the portion of the outer layer 11 which is located at one side of the anti-slip means strip 16 be of one color and the portion of the outer layer 11 which is located at the other side of the anti-slip means strip 16 be of another color. Instead, they can be of the same color but of different color intensity and/or they can be of different mesh configuration. The purpose in all these cases would not simply be a matter of although this can be taken into consideration, but primarily also to provide a visual guide which indicates clearly during the subsequent connection of the waistband with the garment, how the waistband is to be located and oriented with reference to the garment.

Naturally, only exemplary embodiments have been illustrated in the drawing and described herein. It is clear that this does not exhaust the possibilities according to the present invention. The visual keying mentioned above with respect to FIG. l is also possible by utilizing different types of filaments for the portion of the layer 11 which is located at one side of the strip 16, as opposed to the portion of the layer 11 which is located at the other side of the strip 16. The strip 16 itself with the analogous means and the other embodiments, can also be so provided as to subdivide it into two or more rows leaving a free space between them where letters, numbers, figures, color effects in general may be provided, at the same time the waistband is produced or at another time. The means 16 or the analogous means may be configurated differently from what has been illustrated, for instance in mesh form, in dot form, or the like. It also need not be strip-shaped, and extend only over a relatively small portion of the exposed side of the outer layer as illustrated; instead, it can cover a major portion over the entire outer exposed side of the outer layer.

it will be appreciated that the unitary layersll and 12, or 11' and 12, or "and 12", or 11" and 12", can also be produced in such a manner assuming that they are being produced on a machine of requisite typethat they are laterally adjacent one another and extend in parallelism, being located in a common plane. For instance, taking the embodiment of FIG. 3, another waistband composed of the layers 12' and 11 could be located to the right-hand side of the one illustrated in FIG. 3, with the free edge of the layer 12' of this other waistband being temporarily during the manufacturing process, connected through a special connecting thread with the free edge of the layer 11' of the waistband shown in FIG. 3. A similar waistband could be located at the left-hand side of the one shown in FIG. 3, and still further layers could be provided. Thus, a large plurality of such waistbands can be produced simultaneously and subsequently the connecting threads could be severed to separate the individual waistbands from one another. On the other hand, while this approach has the advantage that individual waistbands have firm non-ravelling edges, it would also be possible to have the waistbands firmly connected without the use of separate connecting threads, and to simply cut them subsequently along requisite lines. Naturally, the waistbands can also be produced individually, but this hardly requires special emphasizing.

lt will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a waistband for trousers, skirts and the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended l. A waistband for trousers, skirts and the like, comprising an elongated strip-shaped outer layer of woven or knitted longitudinally, transversely and diagonally stretchable fabric having two transversely spaced longitudinally extending margins and an outer and an inner side; an elongated strip-shaped inner stiffening layer of a different woven or knitted longitudinally, transversely and diagonally stretchable fabric which includes means rendering said fabric of said inner layer stiffer than the fabric of said outer layer, said inner layer extending along said inner side of said outer layer and being united with said inner layer at least along one of said longitudinally extending margins and having an exposed inner side facing away from said inner side of said outer layer; and anti-slip filaments woven or knitted into said fabric of said inner layer and at least in part exposed at and raised beyond said exposed Inner side thereof.

2. A waistband according to claim 1 wherein said outer and inner layers are interwoven or interknit at their interface.

3. A waistband as defined in claim 1, said inner layer being composed at least in part of stiffened filamentary material. 

1. A waistband for trousers, skirts and the like, comprising an elongated strip-shaped outer layer of woven or knitted longitudinally, transversely and diagonally stretchable fabric having two transversely spaced longitudinally extending margins and an outer and an inner side; an elongated strip-shaped inner stiffening layer of a different woven or knitted longitudinally, transversely and diagonally stretchable fabric which includes means rendering said fabric of said inner layer stiffer than the fabric of said outer layer, said inner layer extending along said inner side of said outer layer and being united with said inner layer at least along one of said longitudinally extending margins and having an exposed inner side facing away from said inner side of said outer layer; and anti-slip filaments woven or knitted into said fabric of said inner layer and at least in part exposed at and raised beyond said exposed inner side thereof.
 2. A waistband according to claim 1 wherein said outer and inner layers are interwoven or interknit at their interface.
 3. A waistband as defined in claim 1, said inner layer being composed at least in part of stiffened filamentary material. 